Zipline’s $600 Million Boost: Pioneering the Future of Drone Delivery in the U.S.
Zipline, a leader in autonomous drone delivery and logistics, has secured over $600 million in new funding, elevating its valuation to $7.6 billion. This substantial investment is set to propel the company’s expansion into Houston and Phoenix in early 2026, with plans to establish operations in at least four U.S. states by the end of the year. The funding round saw participation from both existing and new investors, including Fidelity Management & Research Company, Baillie Gifford, Valor Equity Partners, and Tiger Global.
Founded in 2014, Zipline has developed a comprehensive drone delivery ecosystem encompassing logistics software, launch and landing systems, and the drones themselves. The company commenced commercial operations in 2016, delivering blood supplies in Rwanda. Since then, Zipline has expanded its services to deliver food, retail, agricultural, and healthcare products across five African countries, several U.S. cities, and Japan.
In 2025, Zipline introduced a home delivery service in the U.S., allowing customers to order food and retail goods via an app. This service utilizes Zipline’s Platform 2 drones, designed to carry up to eight pounds and deliver within a 10-mile radius. The larger Platform 1 drones cater to long-range deliveries for enterprises, businesses, and government entities, capable of covering 120 miles round trip. The Platform 2 service debuted in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in partnership with Walmart and over a dozen restaurant brands.
Zipline has also announced plans to launch in Seattle, further expanding its U.S. footprint. Other commercial partners include Panera, Chipotle, Crumbl, Blaze Pizza, Wendy’s, and Little Caesars.
This geographic expansion has significantly boosted Zipline’s delivery numbers. In 2024, the company completed 1 million drone deliveries; by early 2026, it surpassed 2 million deliveries. U.S. deliveries have grown approximately 15% week-over-week for the past seven months.
Co-founder and CEO Keller Cliffton views 2026 as a pivotal year for the company. He stated, Autonomous logistics has been maturing for more than a decade, and the last year has made it unmistakably clear that when deliveries are faster, cleaner, safer, and cheaper, demand isn’t just high, it grows exponentially. Cliffton emphasized that in 2026, autonomous logistics will become a daily staple for people across several U.S. states, beginning with Houston and Phoenix.
Zipline’s success is not without competition. Other companies in the drone delivery sector include Flytrex, DroneUp, Amazon Prime Air, and Wing, an Alphabet-owned subsidiary that has partnered with Walmart. Wing plans to expand to an additional 150 Walmart stores by 2027.
Zipline’s journey from delivering medical supplies in Rwanda to becoming a major player in the U.S. drone delivery market underscores the transformative potential of autonomous logistics. With substantial funding and strategic partnerships, Zipline is poised to redefine last-mile delivery, offering faster, cleaner, and more efficient services to consumers nationwide.
